Fragmentation helps Israel’s Netanyahu re-election hopes

Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be cruising toward a historic fifth term after the upcoming April 9 vote.

Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be cruising toward a historic fifth term after the upcoming April 9 vote.

Photo: Ronen Zvulun/ Associated Press

Photo: Ronen Zvulun/ Associated Press

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Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be cruising toward a historic fifth term after the upcoming April 9 vote.

Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be cruising toward a historic fifth term after the upcoming April 9 vote.

Photo: Ronen Zvulun/ Associated Press

Fragmentation helps Israel’s Netanyahu re-election hopes

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JERUSALEM— Barring a devastating legal ruling against him in a series of corruption allegations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks to be cruising toward re-election and a historic fifth term in office after the upcoming April 9 vote.

Part of his longevity is due to Israel’s splintered electoral system, which allows him to rule with just a quarter of the vote for his ruling Likud Party. The first week of the election campaign has already seen a dizzying series of maneuvers, with old parties splitting and new ones emerging, most seeming to work in Netanyahu’s favor.

Israeli democracy operates on a parliamentary system in which the government needs a majority to rule. Since no party has ever earned more than 61 of the 120 seats in the Israeli Knesset, a coalition is required. Though most polls indicate Likud winning roughly 30 seats, it can usually build a majority with traditional nationalist and ultra-Orthodox allies.

The center-left bloc, traditionally in favor of negotiating a statehood deal with the Palestinians, has lost support. It has not been able to muster a majority. Parties representing Israel’s Arab minority have not been asked to join coalitions.

The anti-Netanyahu forces in Israel have been yearning for years to unite into a single list that can give him a good fight. But so far there has been more splitting than uniting. Of the current 10 factions in Parliament, three have already fractured. Two former military chiefs have announced the formation of new parties as well.

In fact, there is a distinct possibility that as many as 15 parties will get in next time, tying an all-time high.

Currently, Netanyahu remains the right’s only viable candidate for prime minister. But on the center-left, several consider themselves worthy challengers and are busy competing with each other.

The freshest face is retired Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, a former military chief who just entered the race and has been polling a distant second to Netanyahu. The fact that he is the public’s most popular alternative even before saying a word about his worldview speaks to the Israeli voters’ yearning for new options.

Moshe Yaalon, a former defense minister and military chief, has started a new party, as has Orly Levi-Abuksis, the daughter of former Likud stalwart David Levy, whose economic platform looks to appeal to some left-leaning working-class voters.